American runners faced off against their counterparts from 11 other nations at the recent Penn Relays. The USA vs. the World challenge finished in a draw, as U.S. teams won three of the six events.

The World teams included athletes from Jamaica, Kenya, Russia, Great Britain, Canada, Bahamas, Dutch Antilles, Saudi Arabia, Zimbabwe, Trinidad & Tobago and the Dominican Republic.

The event began with a Jamaican team winning the women’s sprint medley relay. Kerron Stewart and Aleen Bailey ran the 200-meter legs for the winners. Sonita Sutherland ran the 400-meter leg and Kenia Sinclair maintained Jamaica’s lead in the final, 800-meter leg. The Caribbean All-Stars were second, followed by the USA Red quartet of Ebonie Floyd, Hasani Roseby, Tiffany Ross Williams and Hazel Clark, in 3:41.08.

The U.S. enjoyed a 1-2 finish in the women’s 4 x 100-meter relay, as Lauryn Williams, Miki Barber, Lisa Barber and Allyson Felix won in 42.57 seconds, edging the USA Blue squad of Muna Lee, Torri Edwards, Carmelita Jeter and Sanya Richards, which finished in 42.64. Felix, the two-time world 100-meter champ, came from behind in the final leg to edge Richards, the 2006 IAAF World Athlete of the Year, at the tape.

A handoff mishap cost the U.S. in the men’s 4 x 100. USA Red leadoff runner Leroy Dixon bumped another competitor just before Dixon passed the baton to teammate Wallace Spearmon. The delayed handoff helped open the door for another Jamaican victory as Marvin Anderson, Michael Frater, Nesta Carter and Dwight Thomas won in 39.03, followed by the USA Blue quartet of John Capel, Xavier Carter, Michael Rodgers and Shawn Crawford in second in 39.14. USA Red finished fourth in 39.38.

The U.S. then won both 4 x 400 relays. On the women’s side, reigning World 4 x 400 gold medalist Mary Wineberg, Felix, Natasha Hastings and Richards set a Penn Relays record of 3:22.16. Jamaica took second in 3:27.96 with USA Blue third in 3:27.98.

The U.S. men gained another 1-2 sweep in their 4 x 400 as the impressive Blue quartet of LaShawn Merritt (the 2007 World 400-meter silver medalist), Spearmon (two-time World 200-meter medalist), Darold Williamson (a two-time World 4 x 400 gold medalist) and two-time World 400-meter champion Jeremy Wariner won in 2:59.71. The USA Blue team (Carter, Bershawn Jackson, Kerron Clement and Angelo Taylor) was second in 3:01.12.

The Kenyans closed the event with a victory in the men’s distance medley relay. Boaz Cheboiywo, Thomas Musembi, Jackson Kivuna and Josephat Kithii prevailed in 9:29.79. The USA Red team of Kevin Hicks, Andrew Rock, Chris Lukezic and Sean O'Brien placed second in 9:30.66.